Tim Boetsch: “I want to earn what I get.”

UFC middleweight Tim Boetsch is one of a handful of 185ers currently in a logjam at the top of the division. Though the organization was hoping to help sort out the mess by booking Boetsch against fellow contender Chris Weidman, an injury in training took the unbeaten Weidman out of the bout with Costa Philippoustepping in to fill the vacancy.

Boestch understands Philippou doesn’t come with the same hype as Weidman, meaning a victory isn’t nearly as likely to merit a title-shot, but don’t expect “The Barbarian” to complain about the change or try to talk his way into a crack at the championship if he does indeed exit the Octagon with a win in tow.

“I think the better way to do it, or the way I prefer to do it, is to step in the cage and beat people up, and eventually they’re going to have to give me a title shot because I’m going to run out of people to beat up. That’s how I plan on doing it,” said Boestch in an interview with MMAWeekly. “It doesn’t matter if other people are out there running their mouths and trying to call people out and say what they deserve. I want to earn what I get.”

The 16-4 Boestch is also making sure to avoid the ever-dangerous prospect of overlooking an opponent who wasn’t on his radar until recently.

“Although it’s not Chris Weidman, Costa’s a tough guy and it’s going to be an exciting fight,” offered Boestch on his adversary’s abilities. “He’s on a roll right now, he’s a tough boxer and he’s always looking to take people’s heads off.”

Fans can catch the Boestch-Philippou clash on the PPV portion of UFC 155 this Saturday night. Both men are currently on four-fight winning streaks.